Page:Christianity in China, Tartary, and Thibet Volume I.djvu/184

172 172 CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA, ETC. ments and martial songs. The feast was renewed every day for seven days in succession. Towards the end of August, the Franciscans were admitted to an audience of Couyouk. It was a few days after his elevation to the throne ; and there were admitted, at the same time, many princes and ambas- sadors, whose names were read in a loud vo,ice by the Chancellor Tchincai. These personages brought to the emperor an immense quantity of presents, consisting principally of rich stuffs, girdles of silk and gold, or precious furs ; and there were also horses with iron or leathern armour. Couyouk was a man of about forty years of age, of small figure, and very grave deportment, never listening or replying to anything but through the intervention of his first minister, and pronouncing irrevocably upon every matter laid before him. Every one addressed him kneeling. From the Golden Horde the monks proceeded to another residence, at which the two were several times admitted to the imperial tent ; this was crimson and gold, and had been made in China. On a circular divan was raised a throne of ivory, elaborately carved, and enriched with gold and precious stones. This was the work of a Russian goldsmith named Come. One day some of the emperor's officers came to tell the Franciscans that they must leave the court till further orders ; and they were then sent to the former regent, Tourakina. This they found was on account of a certain ceremony that was to be performed, which it was desired the missionaries should not witness. It consisted in Couyouk's raising a great banner towards the West, and while waving it, threatening to carry fire and sword over all the countries in that direction